Flash bulb assembly apparatus



June 23, 1970 R. R. BOWER FLASH BULB ASSEMBLY APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 4, 1968 INVENTOR f/CH/IFD E. 50Wr5 June 23, 1970 R. R. BOWERFLASH BULB ASSEMBLY APPARATUS Filed Jan. 4, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 727436 56 75 fZ 56 f/ 75 56 INVENTOR IWU/A RD R 50W 5 3,516,130 FLASH BULBASSEMBLY APPARATUS Rlchard Raymond Bower, Northridge, Calif., assignorto International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation, New York, N.Y., acorporation of Maryland Filed Jan. 4, 1968, Ser. No. 695,673 Int. Cl.H01j 9/06, 9/10; H011 9/46 US. Cl. 29-2519 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of multiple bulb flashbulb assemblies has become increasingly popular in the amateurphotography field. Such assemblies are utilized on still cameras forproducing a plurality of flashes of light without the necessity ofreplacing individual flash bulbs for each exposure made by the camera.One tyype of a multiple flash bulb assembly commonly known as a flashcube comprises four individual bulbs mounted on a base which is adaptedto be plugged into a suitable mechanism on the camera which may beactuated to rotate the base a quarter turn after a bulb has been fired.The bulbs are enclosed in a transparent, generally cubical housingaffixed to the flash bulb base, and reflector means is provided in thehousing behind each bulb for directing flashes of light outwardlythrough the four vertical sides of the housing. Each bulb has a pair ofwire leads which pass through openings in the base and are crimped overan annular rib at the bottom of the base to secure the bulbs in placeand to provide electrical contact means on the base for actuating thebulbs.

In the manufacture of such assemblies, it is desirable to automaticallyand simultaneously position the leads of the bulbs in registry with theholes in the base of the assembly so that the base may be readilyassembled to the bulbs in a single step, rather than manually insert theleads of each bulb individually into the base holes. The presentinvention pertains to apparatus for performing this function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the principal aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided means for positioning flash bulbmeans so that the leads thereof are generally oriented for registry withthe respective holes in the base to which the bulb means is to beassembled. First and second sets of spaced, generally parallel fingersare mounted for movement over the bulb positioning means and at asubstantial angle, preferably but not necessarily a right angle, withrespect to each other. The sets of fingers are so arranged that whenthey are disposed over the bulb positioning means, the bulb leads areconfined in the interstitial openings defined by the spaced fingers,which openings are in registry with the holes in said base. As aconsequence, the leads are properly oriented for insertion into the baseholes. By employing a suitable number of fingers in each of the two setsof fingers,

Q United States Patent 0 Patented June 23, 1970 the leads of a pluralityof flash bulbs may be properly oriented for insertion into a pluralityof bases simultaneously, thus permitting flash bulb subassemblies ofbases and bulbs to be manufactured on a mass production basis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view ofa portion of a conveyor system in which two conveyor carriages are shownwhich are movable in the rightward direction, said carriages embodyingflash bulb holder means supporting three sets of bulbs of four bulbseach, with the leading carriage being shown with bases assembled to thebulbs mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing indetail a bulb holder, a fragmentary vertical section of bulb leadpositioning fingers, and a base in phantom lines, receiving the ends ofthe bulb leads;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 showing abase being assembled to a plurality of bulbs after the lead positioningfingers have been retracted;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flash bulb assembly in which the bulbsthereof have been assembled to the base by the apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the two sets of fingers employed forpositioning the bulb leads in registry with the base holes, with onegroup of one of the sets of fingers being positioned between the leadsof the bulbs;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the apparatus illustratedin FIG. 5, wherein the second group of fingers of said one set arepositioned between the leads of the bulbs;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 6, but showing a portion ofthe other set of fingers in overlapping relationship with the first setof fingers, with the bottom of the base to be asembled to the bulbsbeing shown in phantom lines; and

FIG. 8 is a transverse vertical section through any of the finger unitsof the apparatus, showing suitable guide means therefor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings indetail, there is illustrated in FIG. 4 a flash bulb assembly 10,preferably comprising four flash bulbs 12, only two being seen, mountedto a base 14. A generally cubical transparent housing 16 encloses thebulbs 12 and reflector means 18 which is arranged for reflecting flashesof light from the bulbs outwardly through the sides of the housing. Eachof the bulbs 12 has a pair of wire leads 20 which pass through spacedholes 23 in the base 14, are crimped over an annular rib or ring 24which depends from the lower surface 26 of base 14, and have their freeends lodged in further holes 25 through base 14 on the Opposite side ofring 24 from the holes 23. In this manner the bulbs are secured to thebase and electrical contacts are provided on the base by the wire leads20 where they bend over the ring 24. The present invention providesmeans whereby the leads 20 of the bulbs 12 are accurately positioned forinsertion into the holes 23 in the base 14 so that subassemblies ofbases 14 and bulbs 12 may be manufactured on a mass production basis.Preferably, sets of bulbs are assembled to a plurality of bases in aconveyor system, a portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 1 andgenerally designated by the numeral 30.

The conveyor system 30 comprises a plurality of conveyor carriages 32,two being shown in the drawing, which are movable in the rightwarddirection by a continuous chain 34 among various stations. Eash carriage32 includes a plurality of sets 36 of bulb holders 38. In the embodimentillustrated, three of such sets of bulb holders are provided on eachcarriage 32, each such set consisting of four separate spaced bulbholders 38. It is to be understood that any number of sets of bulbholders could be provided on the carriage 32, depending upon the numberof base and bulb subassemblies which are desired to be manufactured, andthat each set 36 may employ any deseried number of bulb holders 38,depending upon the number of bulbs which are desired to be assembled toa flash bulb base.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is illustrated in detail thecontruction of the bulb holders 38. Each holder comprises a generallyvertical body 40 having a cylindrical chamber 42 therein which opens atthe top 44 f the body. The longitudinal axis of the chamber isvertically disposed and, therefore, generally normal to the horizontalupper surface 46 of the carriage 32. The lower end 47 of body 40 isfitted within a recess 48 in the carriage. The diameter of thecylindrical chamber 42 is such that a bulb 12 may be slidably receivedtherein.

The lower portion 50 of the bulb 12, when the bulb is in an invertedposition as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, is resiliently supported bythe upper convolution of a coil spring 52. The spring is supported by anannular shoulder 54 at the bottom of the chamber 42, and has a generallyconical configuration, with the tip 56 of the bulb being seated withinthe upper portion of the spring.

In the conveyor system 30, bulbs 12 are initially placed by suitabledispensing means, not shown, in the holders 38 which are positionedalong the center line 60 of the carriage 32, with the leads 20 thereoflying in planes generally normal to the center line 60. This step takesplace at a station at a trailing region, not shown, of the conveyorsystem 30. At a following station, bulbs are positioned in the holders38 on opposite sides of the center line 60 of the conveyor carriage,with the leads thereof lying in planes generally parallel to the centerline 60. With bulbs so positioned in the holders, the leads 20 of thebulbs in each set 36 of the holders extend upwardly and are generallyproperly oriented for insertion into the holes 23 of three bulb bases14. However, normally the leads 20 are bent somewhat and, hence, are notin perfect parallel relationship. As a consequence, the ends of theleads cannot be inserted into the base holes 23 without firstpositioning the ends of the leads in exact registry with the base holes23. A mechanism for performing this function, generally designated 62,is illustrated in FIGS. to 8.

The bulb lead positioning mechanism 62 comprises generally two sets offingers 64 and 66, each being movable in a horizontal plane over thebulb holders 38 of the trailing carriage 32 in FIG. 1. In other words,the two sets of fingers 64 and 66 are movable in a plane which isgenerally parallel to the upper surface 46 of the trailing carriage 32,and normal to the generally upright bulb leads thereon.

The first set of fingers 64 comprises two separate units 68 and 70. Theunit 68 includes a group of relatively wide fingers 72 and relativelynarrow fingers 74 which are integral with a base 76. The fingers 72 and74 are in spaced, generally parallel and coplanar relationship. Thefingers 74 have a width substantially equal to the distance betweenadjacent base holes 23, while the distance between the opposed sides 78of the adjacent fingers 72 is substantially equal to the distancebetween the outer edges of opposite holes 23 in a base 14.

The unit 70 includes a group of three pairs 80 of spaced fingers whichare integral with a base 82, and are parallel and coplanar with thefingers 72 and 74 of the unit 68, and with each other. The fingers 80have a width sufficiently small so as to pass between bulb leadsdisposed between adjacent fingers 72 and 74 of the first unit 68. Inother words, the width of the spaces between the fingers 72 and 74 issubstantially equal to the Width of a finger 80, plus the thickness oftwo leads.

The unit 70 carrying the group of fingers is independently movablelongitudinally relative to the unit 68 from the position illustrated inFIG. 5 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein the free ends ofthe fingers 72, 74 and 80 are in alignment. The units 78 and 80 aremovable by a common prime mover, not shown, which is preferablysynchronized with the drive for the conveyor system 30.

The second set of fingers 66 comprises two separate units 84 which aremovable in a plane which is parallel to the plane of movement of thefirst set of fingers 64, and in overlapping relationship therewith. Theunits 84 each include a plurality of parallel, coplanar fingers 86,which are spaced apart a distance equal substantially to the thicknessof a bulb lead nad have a width substantially equal to the distancebetween a pair of adjacent base holes 23. The units 84 are slidable insuitable channels 88, one of such channels being illustrated in crosssection in FIG. 8. It is understood that the units 68 and 70 of thefirst set of fingers 64 are also mounted for slidable movement inchannels similar to the channel 88.

The units 84 are normally positioned at opposite sides of the first setof fingers 64, and are mounted for slidable movement at generally aright angle to the longitudinal axis of the fingers of the first set 64.The two units 84 are shifted toward each other by actuating means,generally designated 90. This actutaing means includes a cam block 92which is mounted for movement in the same direction as the first set offingers 64 and is movable by the prime mover, not shown, which moves theunits 68 and 70 of the first set of fingers. The block 92 embodies camslots 94. Lever arms 96 are pivotally mounted for horizontal movement byvertical pins 98 on the base 76. The upper ends of the arms 96, asviewed in FIG. 5, have slots 100 which slidably receive vertical pins102 fixed to the units 84. The lower ends of the arms 96 as viewed inFIG. 5 carry cam follower rollers 104 which are engaged in the cam slots94. Relative movement of the block 92 toward the base 76 causes lateralmovement of the cam followers 104 away from each other, thereby pivotingthe arms 96 and causing the units 84 to move toward each other into anoverlapping position with respect to the first set of fingers 64.

The fingers 72 and 74 are formed with parallel, spaced, transversegrooves 106 in their upper surfaces 108. The fingers 80 are also formed'with similar parallel, spaced, transverse grooves 110 which open attheir upper surfaces 112 and are complementary to the grooves 106. Whenthe unit 70 carrying the fingers 80 is moved into the positionillustrated in FIG. 6, the grooves 112 therein are aligned with thegrooves 106 in the fingers of unit 68, thus providing continuousguideways in which the fingers -86 of the units 84 are transverselyslidable, as seen in FIG. 7.

The free ends of each of the fingers 72, 74, 80 and 86 are tapered sothat, upon movement of the fingers through the generally upright leadsof the bulbs 12, the tapered ends of the fingers will provide camsurfaces 113 which deflect the leads into the spaces between thefingers.

In operation of the apparatus of the present invention, as previouslystated, bulbs 12 are positioned in holders 38 on the carriage 32., withtheir leads generally oriented for insertion into base holes 23, and thecarriage 32 is positioned at the station illustrated at the left-handside of FIG. 1. At this station, the bulb lead positioning mechanism 62is moved over the carriage 32 and, hence, the bulb holders 38, asillustrated in FIG. 5. In this position, only the group of fingers 72and 74 are positioned between the leads of the bulbs. Next, the unit 70is moved over the bulb holders, that is, in the upward direction asviewed in FIG. 5, until the fingers 80 reach the position illustrated inFIG. 6, in which position each of the bulb leads is confined againstmovement transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fingers 72, 74 and80. There after, the units 84 of the second set of fingers 66 are movedto the position illustrated in FIG. 7, by shifting the block 92 upwardlyrelative to the base 76 as viewed in FIG. 5. In such position, thefingers 86 of the units 84 are fully laterally extended in the guidewaysprovided by grooves 106 and 110 in the first set of fingers 64, andconfine the bulb leads against movement transverse to the longitudinalaxis of the fingers 86. It can be seen that with the number of fingersillustrated, their dimensions and the angular relationship of the twosets 64 and 66, when the fingers are positioned as illustrated in FIG.7, the leads of the bulbs are completely confined within three sets ofeight interstitial square openings between the fingers which are inexact registry with the circular pattern of holes 23 of three adjacentlypositioned bulb bases 14.

Preferably, the bulb holders 38 position the leads 20 of the bulbs sothat the fingers of the lead positioning mechanism 62 will engage theleads closely adjacent to the free ends thereof, yet sufficiently spacedfrom such ends so as to permit a base 14 to be positioned, asillustrated in FIG. 2, with the ends of the leads extending a shortdistance into the base holes 23 when the base engages the upper surfaceof fingers 86. Preferably, the base holes are flared as indicated at 114to facilitate insertion of the leads into the holes.

After the two sets of fingers 64 and 66 are thus positioned over thetrailing carriage 32 to properly orient the bulb leads 20, three bases14 are positioned by a feeding mechanism, not shown, so as to receivethe ends of the leads of the bulbs in the respective holes 23 of thethree sets 36 of bulb holders 38. Thereafter, the block 92 is shifteddownwardly relative to the base 76 as viewed in FIG. 5 to retract thefingers 86. Then the units 70 and 68 are withdrawn in sequence so thatthe trailing carriage 32 may be moved to the second station at therighthand side of FIG. 1.

At the second station, the bases 14 are pressed downwardly until theycontact the upwardly extending surfaces 116 of the bulbs 12 as seen inFIG. 3. Because the bulbs are resiliently mounted by coil springs 52,the upper surfaces 11 6 of the bulbs will all firmly engage thedownwardly facing surface 118 of each base 14, A suitable mechanism, notshown, is then employed for crimping the wire leads of the bulbs overthe ring 2 4 of each base, with the ends of the leads being frictionallylocked in openings 25 in the base. The springs 52 also serve to preventany bulb damage from occurring during this wire crimping operation, thegenerally conical configuration of the springs permitting the springs toexert a substantial force against the bulbs without danger of thesprings presenting a rigid abutment should they become fully collapsed,as might occur with cylindrical coil springs. After the bulbs are thusassembled to the bases 14, the subassembly provided thereby is thenready for assembly with the reflector means 18 and housing 16.

While the present invention has been described specifically inconnection with an apparatus for properly positioning bulb leads forinsertion into bulb base holes, it is to be understood that theapparatus could be employed for other flexible wire elements forregistry with openings in objects other than flash bulb assembly bases.For example, the invention could be employed for properly orientingwires in a suitable pattern for insertion into openings into electricalconnectors or the like.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in what I haveconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of myinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent structures and devices.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for positioning a plurality of wires which comprisessupport means for supporting said wires generally in a preselected arrayand directed generally normal to a first plane, and first and secondsets of spaced, generally parallel positioning fingers, each of saidsets being arranged generally in a plane parallel to said first planewith the fingers of one set disposed at substantially a right anglerelative to those of the other set, each of said sets being mounted forreciprocal axial movement between a retracted position spaced from saidwires and an extended position confining said wires between adjacentpairs of fingers, said sets of fingers in said extended positionsproviding an arrangement of interstitial openings, corresponding to saidpreselected array, through which said wires extend.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second setsof fingers are disposed in overlapping contiguous relationship in theirsaid extended positions.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said first set of fingershas a plurality of spaced, generally parallel guide grooves formedtherein complementary to the respective fingers of said second set, andsaid fingers of said second set are slidable in the respective saidgrooves when said second set is moved between its said retracted andextended positions.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said fingers of said firstand second sets have tapered free ends providing guide means for guidingsaid wires between adjacent pairs of the fingers when said sets offingers advance from their said retracted positions to their saidextending positions.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including cam means connected tosaid second set of fingers and movable generally in the same directionas said first set of fingers for moving said second set of fingersbetween its said retracted and extended positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,379,135 6/1945 Ekstcdt et a1.-7l.5 2,608,744 9/1952 Starre et al. 2925.l9 XR 2,644,998 7/1953Klinkert et al. 29-25.19 XR 2,923,050 2/1960 Dwincll et a1 29-25.193,422,514 1/1969 Munday et a1 2925.19

CHARLIE T. MOON, Primary Examiner R. B. LAZARUS, Assistant Examiner US.Cl. X.R.

